University to discuss gender gap in Finals results with students

The disparity between Finalsresults which exists between male and female undergraduates will be discussedat an Educational Policy and Standards Committee (EPSC) panel meeting on 22November.The EPSC meet twice a term and ischaired by the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), Professor Elizabeth Fallaize ofSt John’s. Itconsists of three panels dealing with examinations, graduate and undergraduatematters. The EPSC’s responsibilitiesinclude curriculum design and course structure, learning and teaching, assessmentand academic and pastoral support and guidance. The committee includes undergraduatesand contributes to policy and development, considers proposed amendments tocourse and examination regulations, and deals with individual dispensations.Fallaize said, “The University isvery concerned about the Finals gap and is working with OUSU to discuss ways oftackling it. Many studies have been conducted in the past on the matter but it’svery difficult to draw easy conclusions from them.” She added, “But we arestill very determined to find the solution.”The OUSU Vice-President (Access andAcademic Affairs) sits on the EPSC undergraduate panel and OUSU’sVice-President (Women) has also been invited to attend the forthcoming meetingin order to offer ten suggestions on how the University can act on the Finalsgap. Ellie Cumbo, OUSU VP (Women), said,“It is important that we take suggestions from students directly – that’s whatOUSU is for. Our plan is to first of all contact members of women’s campaignsand JCR presidents.” “For the next four weeks we’ll berunning a high-profile call for students’ views on what will help and what willnot.” Cumbo added, “This is a breakthrough opportunity for the women in Oxford to tell the Universitywhat their academic needs are. The fact that the University is at last gearingup to take action on the Finals gap, and is also engaging directly with OUSU inorder to do it, is a textbook example of how a top-flight university shouldwork.”She continued, “I hope studentsof both sexes will be encouraged to tell their JCRs, or me directly, what theirideas are – both what will help and what won’t. If they’re prepared to speakout, I believe we really could be at the beginning of the end of the Finalsgap.”ARCHIVE: 3rd week MT 2005